The MPCA studies, monitors, and regulates water pollutants to protect human health and the environment. Minnesota water quality standards strives to protect water for use, measures health of waters, and guides limits on what regulated facilities can discharge to surface waters.
Water permitting
State and federal regulations protect the waters of Minnesota by regulating specific facilities and processes that could potentially harm groundwater and surface water, such as lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. Water permits are typically required for activities that involve locations within floodplains, discharge into surface waters, or pose a threat to water resources.
Stormwater
Stormwater permits ensure pollutants from construction and industrial operations do not enter surface and ground waters during precipitation events and snow melt.
Construction stormwater
A construction stormwater permit is needed if the project will disturb:
- one acre or more of soil.
- less than one acre of soil, but the project is part of a larger "common plan of development or sale" that covers more than one acre.
Apply for the construction stormwater permit online via MPCA e-Services. Construction may typically begin one business day after the application is submitted.
Industrial stormwater
An industrial stormwater permit is needed if you have material, equipment, and/or facility operations located outdoors. Facilities that commonly need an industrial stormwater permit includes manufacturers, fabricators, warehousers, and marinas. An industrial stormwater permit is needed if the facility engages in a listed narrative activity, or their primary SIC code is listed. For more information and lists: do you need a permit.
An industrial stormwater permit requires the facility to create and implement a stormwater pollution prevention plan, prior to applying. Since this is a general permit that pertains to many different industry types, there are general requirements for all permit holders and 29 sector-specific requirements.
Permit holders must conduct stormwater sampling, monthly inspections, train employees, and submit annual reports.
Requirements and due dates
- Annual reporting for the NPDES/SDS General Stormwater Permit for Industrial Activity
- March 31
- Industrial stormwater quarterly sampling
- January 21
- April 21
- July 21
- October 21
Apply for the industrial stormwater permit or a no-exposure certification online via MPCA e-Services.
No-exposure certification
If a facility needs an industrial stormwater permit due to their listed narrative description and/or primary SIC code but all materials, equipment, and/or facility operations are not exposed to the elements (e.g., wind, rain, snow) the facility may apply for a no-exposure certification. If the facility has only a few items stored outdoors, consider moving them inside to qualify for the no-exposure certification, which has fewer requirements than the full permit.
Some cities charge a stormwater fee on the utility bill and will grant a discount if the facility controls the amount or quality of stormwater leaving the facility. Many watershed districts offer funding and technical assistance for projects that keep stormwater clean, such as raingardens, pervious pavement, or tree trenches.
Wastewater
Wastewater permits regulate any facility, municipality, and/or private organization that discharges pollutants into the surface or ground waters. Permits are designed to keep the average chemical makeup of the water discharged within certain benchmarks/standards.
If your facility disposes of waste down the drain, get approval from your local wastewater treatment facility first. In the Twin Cities metro area, this is usually Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. Find more information on the MPCA’s wastewater pretreatment page.
Wastewater general permits
General permits focus on similar industries allowing for a faster and more efficient permitting process. Some common general permits include:
- Nonmetallic mining – sand and gravel, aggregate, and hot mix asphalt.
- Industrial by-products – land application of industrial by-products from food and beverage processing facilities.
- For discharges to surface water or land
When a general permit does not cover your facility’s activities, you may need an individual wastewater permit.
Holding tanks
If you use a holding tank, have the contents hauled to a wastewater treatment plant or follow the requirements for land applying. Do not use a septic system for industrial waste.
Water withdrawal
A water appropriation permit from the Department of Natural Resources may be required if more than 10,000 gallons of water per day or 1 million gallons per year is being withdrawn from a state water (including ground water, as in pit/quarry dewatering). See the DNR website for details.